A schoolgirl who won recognition from judges in a global art competition will see her work on show at the Natural History Museum.

Kirsty Nzita, 12, entered the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s It’s Our World contest along with her fellow students at Heron Hall Academy in Nightingale Road, Edmonton.

Kirsty created masks, taking inspiration from disasters around the world.

She said: “My piece is about people who have lost their homes in forest fires around the world. I chose the masks because they look sad, and this shows how the people would feel if they lost their homes and family.

“I used mod-rock to create texture and make my piece 3D, then painted burning trees in the background. I really enjoyed using mod-rock because it was relaxing.”

Describing how she felt when she heard she had won, she said: “I was shocked and speechless. I feel really excited and proud and I can’t wait to go to the museum to see the other artists’ work and get inspiration from them.”

Kirsty will attend an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum tomorrow, when she will see her work displayed alongside the other prize-winners’ art.

She will also receive an award from David Shepherd and the guest-of-honour, television vet and wildlife presenter Steve Leonard.

Karen Irvine, Kirsty’s art teacher at Heron Hall, said: “We are absolutely delighted for Kirsty and are very proud of her achievement. It is both a pleasure and a privilege to teach such a gifted young artist, and we are thrilled that her talent has been recognised by such a prestigious organisation.”

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